267 One Piece: My Name is Jack

Bang!

Jack tightened his grip around Yasopp's neck, his expression puzzled as he turned to look behind him.

Huff... Huff...

"Lord Jack! Kaido-sama said... he wants you to stop!"

Lafitte gasped for air as he shouted. But when he met Jack's blank, almost condescending gaze, his heart sank. He had no doubt—if he didn't provide a perfect explanation right now, Jack wouldn't hesitate to crush him where he stood.

"It's Joy Boy! Kaido-sama wants to see who Joy Boy really is!"

...???

Jack scoffed.

Muttering a few complaints under his breath, he turned back to Yasopp, whose glare was filled with hatred. Jack furrowed his brow.

"So, that Usopp kid... he was your son?"

"He mentioned you before he died."

"Said he never brought shame to your name... that he was a brave warrior of the sea."

Tears welled up in Yasopp's eyes, trickling down his face. But before he could dwell on it, an immense pressure tightened around his throat. Jack's face remained emotionless as he stared into Yasopp's eyes.

"I live by a simple rule—leave no roots behind. If you don't wipe out the weeds completely, they'll grow back with the spring breeze."

"So... I'm sorry, but I can't let you live."

"Besides, to be honest, you don't deserve that son of yours."

"A pirate with a wife and kid at home? Hah."

"Chasing freedom? Chasing dreams?"

"There's a price for that. And that price is your life."

"Go apologize to your son yourself."

"Jack—"

"No—"

Crack!

"Yasopp!!"

Beckman watched as Yasopp's expression softened in his final moments. He quickly held back his crewmates, stopping them from charging at Jack. His gaze swept over their injuries—some minor, some severe—before he looked back at the expressionless Jack. With a heavy voice, he spoke:

"Pirates don't hold grudges."

"Death is the fate of all pirates."

"Yasopp died chasing his dream. We don't need to mourn him."

"Beckman..."

"Hah. Finally, someone with a brain."

Jack snorted before turning to Master.

"Keep an eye on them. If they try anything, kill them all."

...

By the time Jack reached the island's center, he saw Fujitora and Aramaki, both injured, being escorted over. Marco and his group were dragged in by King and Queen, while Doflamingo had half-dead Law in tow.

And in the middle of it all—Kaido was fighting a boy wearing a straw hat.

...???

Jack's eyes widened. "Straw Hat?"

Of all the people, he hadn't expected Luffy to be the one facing Kaido. As far as he knew, the only thing that kid excelled at was finishing his homework at the last minute. What else could he possibly be good for?

Luffy's crewmates were being carried in, their bodies charred black from Enel's lightning. None had been able to escape, not even Jinbe.

Jack glanced at the two women in the group, shaking his head slightly. "Tsk. All burnt up. Wonder if they'll recover."

He then turned to Enel, who sported a swollen face. Jack raised a brow. "Who did that?"

"Him."

Enel pointed at Luffy, still battling Kaido.

"That guy... I don't know how, but he's immune to my lightning. And his Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki... they're ridiculously strong."

Jack immediately activated his Observation Haki, focusing on Luffy.

Something felt off.

Even after taking Kaido's flames and thunder head-on, the kid's aura hadn't weakened in the slightest.

And his presence... why did it feel so strange?

Kaido's club struck him multiple times, yet within seconds, he was back on his feet, full of energy.

His recovery speed—wasn't this just absurd?

And Kaido—what was he doing? Was he seriously giving a lecture mid-fight?

Wait. Wasn't he just struggling with Conqueror's coating a second ago?

What the—? Now he's mastered it?

What?! He's using Advanced Armament too?!

Oi, is this guy hacking?

Wait, why is he doing so many sit-ups?

No, something's seriously wrong here.

Kaido! Are you holding back?

No way... is he actually the fated one?

Could he really be Joy Boy?

...

"Thunder Bagua!"

Kaido's club slammed into Luffy once more. This time, Luffy collapsed, unable to rise.

Jack wasted no time, appearing beside Kaido. "Kaido-san, that's enough."

"I told you—normal people don't write diaries. You can't trust that nonsense."

"This whole 'Joy Boy' thing—just kill him already, or lock him up. As for the women, well... we could split—"

"Shut up."

Kaido shot him a glare before looking down at the fallen Luffy, shaking his head in disappointment.

"You're not him. You're not Joy Boy."

"And that means... none of your friends are either."

"The sound of the Drums of Liberation... it won't be ringing today."

After a moment of silence, he turned to Jack and ordered, "Kill his crewmates. As for the others... heh."

"Kneel before me, and I'll spare your lives."

Jack nodded and was about to leave—when he suddenly froze.

Kaido's eyes widened as well, his gaze snapping toward Luffy.

Dum-dum...

Dum-dum...

The sound of a heartbeat, steady and rhythmic, echoed through the battlefield. Slowly, it carried into the distance.

All eyes turned to the boy in the straw hat.

Jack narrowed his eyes.

Luffy's hair and clothes had turned pure white, a faint white flame flickering atop his head.

"Could it be...?"

Kaido, grinning wildly, burst into laughter.

"Wororororo!!"

"So that's the Drums of Liberation! Joy Boy is real!!"

Kaido transformed into his dragon form and lunged.

And Luffy?

He jumped straight into Kaido's mouth.

"Gum-Gum Balloon!"

Kaido's stomach bulged unnaturally. Jack's face darkened.

Kaido-san, your tolerance is... impressive.

"Gum-Gum Escape Rocket!"

"Gum-Gum Giant!"

"Gum-Gum Jump Rope!"

Jack watched, his face growing grimmer as Luffy swung Kaido around like an actual rope.

"You..."

"Joy Boy? Don't get ahead of yourself!"

Swish!

Boom!

With a single punch, Jack sent Luffy flying. His body deflated midair.

Before he could hit the ground, Jack appeared beside him and grabbed him by the collar.

"Kaido-san, I don't know why you put so much faith in that ridiculous diary."

Jack sneered as he clenched his fist tighter.

"But if Joy Boy is truly destined to win—"

"Then he shouldn't die so easily by my hands."

A sinister red glow flickered in Jack's grip. The flames atop Luffy's head flickered and vanished.

Splurt!

A mouthful of blood sprayed from Luffy's lips as his body went limp.

"Hahaha! So this is Joy Boy?"

"Look at you now!"